The Suriname Toad (Pipa pipa) is one of several pipid frogs that inhabit the aquatic ecosystems of South America. These bizarre amphibians have a number of aspects to their biology that set them apart from most other amphibians. For example, when it comes time to reproduce, the males and females engage in a sort of aquatic ballet. They exhibit amplexus (a prereproductive synchronization embrace) but they do this as they swim in consecutive somersaults. This mating behavior is followed by egg deposition. This is where it gets really strange before mating, the female develops a special thick and spongy tissue on her back. The eggs are pushed into the tissue by the breeding pair and they begin to settle into this tissue and the tissue continues to grow around them. After a short time, the eggs are out of sight and buried in this tissue, where each egg will continue to develop in its own little chamber. This is a form of parental care because by keeping the eggs with her, the female | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Fenolio, Dante |
Bildgröße: | 4000 px × 6000 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |